EH Mix It Up Challenge

Oh dear. After watching Julie's Faux Watercoloring technique here, I may have gone a bit crazy. I've made 3 more cards for the current Ellen Huston Mix it Up Challenge.

I've done this technique a few times before, usually with distress inks, and the tricky bit is to get the 'right' amount of water on the stamp. Not enough water, your image doesn't have that watercoloured look. Too much water, and you just get a blob. Julie had a formula though. She used some water-based markers and 4 pumps with a particular mister (with a very fine mist).

Her card is so beautiful, I knew I had to give it a try. I didn't have the markers or the mister. But I did have a bunch of new Catherine Pooler inks to try out. And a ranger Mini-mister. So I combined the two with spectacular (in my humble opinion) results.

I just love the artistic look of these dots. The inks worked perfectly! And the solid stamp in the Courage set is exactly right for this technique, too - it's not completely circular - it has ragged edges (perfect for the layering flower it's meant for) that make the dots look even more artistic.

Each of these cards uses Essentials by Ellen and Reverse Confetti.

I used:

Essentials by Ellen Stamp & Die Set, Courage (Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Reverse Confetti Clear Stamps, Whole Lotta Happy

Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps, Up the Happy by Julie Ebersole

Ranger Watercolor Paper, 10 pk

My Sweet Petunia MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool

Ranger Stickles, Star Dust

Pretty Pink Posh Sequins, Sparkling Clear Mix (4mm, 6mm, 8mm &10mm )

Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray

Avery ELLE-ments Dies, Double Pierced Rectangles

Ranger Mini Mister, Individual